The Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group works to help people whose rights have been violated and investigates cases involving such abuse, as well as assessing the overall human rights situation in Ukraine. The Group also seeks to develop awareness of human rights issues through public events and its various publications

STATEMENT BY SENATOR JOHN McCAIN REGARDING THE DETENTION OF FORMER UKRAINIAN PRIME MINISTER YULIA TYMOSHENKO

Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) today released the following statement regarding the Ukrainian government’s detention of political opposition leader and former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko:

"I am deeply concerned about the detention today of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko in Ukraine. This action is clearly a violation of the basic rights that should be protected for every citizen in a democracy. The implications of this detention go far beyond the fate of one person.

Ultimately, what is at stake is the future of freedom and democracy in Ukraine. Unfortunately, today’s action by the Ukrainian government calls into question its commitment to the fundamentals of democracy, and as such, will make Ukraine’s path toward a future in the Euro-Atlantic community harder to achieve. I urge the leadership in Kyiv to release Prime Minister Tymoshenko immediately and guarantee the rights of all Ukrainians, regardless of their political beliefs."